August 1, 2007
Gr 6-9-Charlotte, 13, and her cousin Zee return in this fun and witty second book in the trilogy. They have recently been to the Underworld where they defeated Poseidon's evil grandson, Philonecron, from overthrowing Hades. Now Zee is acting odd and has fallen for her best friend, causing a rift in their friendship. Jason, a new guy at school, seems to know more about her than he should. Charlotte's parents have planned for them to go on an "educational" cruise that Charlotte is dreading. Then Jason disappears and Zee's behavior becomes even more bizarre. What begins as an ordinary, if boring, cruise becomes a struggle against Poseidon. He wants revenge on Charlotte for disgracing Phil and making the gods look weak. His plan involves stranding their ship and having sea monster Ketos attack and eat it. Can Charlotte figure out how to defeat Poseidon? The story is told from both Charlotte's and Zee's points of view but it's resourceful Charlotte who dominates. Despite her frequent and sarcastic asides that sometimes slow down the action, readers will root for her as she battles powerful Greek gods and monsters. The many references to events from "The Shadow Thieves" (S & S, 2005) makes it advantageous to read the books in order. This is the perfect series for fans of Rick Riordan's "Percy Jackson and the Olympians" books (Hyperion/Miramax)."Sharon Rawlins, NJ Library for the Blind and Handicapped, Trenton"
Copyright 2007 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
November 1, 2007
After a harrowing trip to the Underworld to thwart Philonecrons plot to overthrow Hades at the expense of living children (The Shadow Thieves, 2007), Charlotte is grounded. The eighth-grader chafes at her punishment and doesnt trust that her again-ordinary life will remain that way for long. Shes right. It so happens Philonecron is related to Poseidon, who takes great offense at his kins comeuppance and plans to make Charlotte pay. Not to be outdone, the defeated Philonecron makes nefarious plans regarding Charlottes cousin and comrade, Zee. Readers will delight in the cousins continuing mythological adventures, told here withthe same imagination, wit, and rambunctiousness as itspredecessor.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2007, American Library Association.)
July 1, 2007
Charlotte Mielswetzski is your typical teenager, fighting with her parents and grounded, like, for life. But unlike your typical teenager, Charlotte is grounded because she snuck out to do battle with Greek demigod Philonecron and Hades himself (The Shadow Thieves, rev. 3/06). Now Philonecron's grandfather Poseidon, angry that Charlotte humiliated his offspring, is out to exact revenge. To top it off, Charlotte's cousin Zee, who went with her to the Underworld and back, has a new girlfriend and isn't speaking to Charlotte. An ill-timed cruise with her parents plunges Charlotte back into the struggles of mortals against the gods, as Poseidon sends a Siren lounge singer to mesmerize the ship and the sea monster Ketos to destroy it. Lacking Zee's help (he's been secretly kidnapped by Philonecron again), Charlotte falls back on the aid of the cute new boy, Jason. With irreverent, teenager-friendly narration, this story mixes the wry with the dramatic, winding up to a pitched battle at sea with Zee rescued and mighty Poseidon's trident itself as the prize. Close beneath the surface of Charlotte's sulky teen exterior is a brave and resolute hero who soldiers on even when the day seems lost and takes on a greater mission yet as the book draws to a close. Charlotte and Zee make a great team -- look forward to seeing more of them as the Cronus Chronicles continue.
(Copyright 2007 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)